Wheeler was treated at a hospital in January for injuries he told hospital officials he got during an explosion while he was trying to make fireworks. Officials said he tried to run out of the emergency room by was caught by police who were called in to investigate.

Investigators said they discovered Wheeler had chemicals for making explosives in a building behind his grandmother's home in Millersville.

Wheeler admitted to investigators that he was injured while mixing chemicals that exploded. He also said he had previously made explosives and detonated them in his yard.

Detectives who searched Wheeler's Glen Bernie home said they found several improvised explosive devices and the chemicals and explosive materials used to make them. Officials also reported finding drugs and drug paraphernalia, a Walther pistol, a flare gun and signal flare launcher, as well as a conversion kit to allow the launcher to shoot 12-gauge shot gun shells, which were also at the house.

Prosecutors said detectives also discovered that Wheeler had a history of drug addiction and that he was on probation for driving under the influence. Officials said shortly before the explosion incident, he had failed a drug test, which determined he had seven controlled substances in his system.

Officers arrested Wheeler after the incident in January. A judge will sentence him in September.